October 2022
things that we have heard and known,
that our ancestors have told us.(C)
4 We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord and his might
and the wonders that he has done.
Psalm 78:3-4
Dear Friends in Christ,
There is a song from my childhood by Matthew West called Next Thing You Know. In it, the artists sings about his journey of faith from hearing Billy Graham preach to praying with his parents. He discusses the lapses of faith and gracious welcome back he received. While My story and his are fairly different there is a bridge at near the end of the song that sticks with me to this day. It goes;
So what's your story?
About His glory?
You gotta find your place
In the history of grace
Yeah, what's your story?
About His glory?
C'mon find your place
That one phrase; what’s your story, about his glory, has been on my mind lately. Maybe it’s because I love to tell stories, Maybe because I’ve been reading Eliora stories, Maybe because our world is inundated with sad stories and frustrating stories and stories that frustrate and enrage me but I’ve been wondering about your stories.
Where has God showed up for you?
How has the church mattered to you?
Where has faith changed your life?
What’s your place in the history of grace?
What’s your story about his glory?
Take a minute. Think about it. Then tell me or your friends and family. Write it down. Post about it. Share it at church on Sunday. Your story matters because it is part of God’s story in this world!
Peace, Pastor Laurel
Fall is here. Labor Day weekend has come and gone, students and staff are back to school, and if we look closely, leaves are beginning to change color. And your church is ready! Worship will begin at 10 am beginning September 18, and confirmation and Sunday School will start at 9/9:15. The coffee pot will be on around 9, so come early to church for a cup, a snack, and fellowship.
Everyone is invited and welcomed! If it's been awhile or new to the area or looking for a church home, come and check us out. If you have any questions, let us know.
Kathy Thelke
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR OCTOBER
Portals of Prayer for October - December are available in the Narthex
ACOLYTES
October 2nd Kolton Hefti
October 9th Kali Wharton
October 16th Brandon Stein
October 23rd Matthew Hurt
October 30th CONFIRMATION DAY!!
MEETINGS
FIRST COUNCIL WILL MEET October 5th at 6:00pm
FLCW Quilters Meeting: 1:00pm October 4th & October 18th
USHERS Curtis Dow Merle Reingardt
ALTAR GUILD Linda Dow & Ruth Reingardt
BREADMAKERS – Cindy & Judy
DEACON Jeanette Wenzel
PRAYERS: Roger Stover, Norman Hanson, Kris Stein, Linda and John Coldiron, Marv Moss, Baby Walker, Rev. Dave Anderson and family, the family and friends of Brandon Zigrang and the CGD community all of our shut-ins and those in care centers.
THANK YOU!
Thank you for all the cards, gifts, and messages of congrats on our 50th wedding anniversary. Taking our family on the same route as our honeymoon to the Black Hills was great. Exhausting but great. Wonderful memories. Thank you for being our church family. - Raymond & Monica Johnson
First Lutheran Quilters, thank you for the prayer shawl that was made for Dennis. It’s really beautiful. If Dennis isn’t using it I sure will. We appreciate your kindness. – Phyllis & Dennis Wesenberg
First Lutheran Council and First Lutheran Church, Thank you for your thoughtfulness and kindness. Thank you for putting up with me as I pick and choose music of various sorts. – Sincerely Phyllis Wesenberg
A big Thank You to all who donated to this year's VBS. Be it decorating supplies, craft supplies, registration, time and talent to teach the kiddos, to those who donated cookies and bars, fruit and veggies, and time! It takes many hands to put VBS together. Thank You specifically to our staff listed below:
VBS Director Elizabeth Hurt
Blue Team Leader Mary Echelberger
Green Team Leader Adam Vorrie
Yellow Team Leader Madalyn Vorrie
Orange Team Leader Casey Simmons
Red Team Leader - Collette Wiarda
Red Team Helpers Jeanette Wenzel, Kali Wharton, Angela Wharton, Lauren Hill, Belle Wharton
Craft Table Elizabeth Hurt
Older Youth - Special Craft Instructor Kathy Thelke, Clint Ahrens
Games Coordinator Sonia Vinsand
Movie Station Ethan Hurt, Matthew Hurt, Daniel Hurt
Kitchen Coordinator Kathy Thelke
Kitchen Help Jeanette Wenzel, Mary Anderson, Jean Ritter, Shelly Howard, Monica Johnson
Registration Amy Ahrens, Jeanne Russell, Jeanie Agena
Puppet Coordinator Pastor Laurel Meester
Sound System Daniel Hurt Tech & Photos Daniel Hurt
Bible Adventure/Opening & Closing Program Leaders Pastor Laurel and Pastor Chris Meester
Thank you, also, to all you donated your time, resources, supplies, food, talents and helped in any way to make VBS possible for another year! We would also like to thank Thrivent, Summit Farms, and UBTC for their contributions. We were delighted to have 48 kids attend this year (quite a few were preschoolers!). We are thrilled that so many of our older youth who have come to VBS over the years volunteered their time and helped make this year’s VBS monumental for the younger kids!
Unfortunately, our annual program’s donations fell significantly short this year as the price of everything has increased substantially so we will be scaling back next year. We should be able to get the $250 Thrivent grant next year for meals again and food donations so this part of our program will stay the same. We have $247.04 in the bank for 2023 ($224 from our annual program). The cost of the Group VBS program and Bible buddies is around $460. So VBS will not have a float for 2023 for Corn Days (as the candy is an unnecessary cost). We need to raise about $783 more in order to have a scaled down version of VBS or if we can raise $400 something very basic. We have received a few items for a possible silent auction – if you are interested in organizing/running a fundraiser for VBS please let Beth know. If you would like to donate you can do that online, at UBTC in Dows or through First Lutheran (just designate VBS on your donation). Thank you again for all your help and your continued support!
COFFEE TIME! Coffee and fellowship hour will begin Sept 18 at 9 am. Please sign up if you would like to serve on the calendar in the kitchen.
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS To attend a 1 hour Zoom (online) class/meeting with Pastor Laurel for Building a Culture of Generosity. A different member of the congregation will attend each session. Open dates are September 20th, October 4th, and October 25th. The meeting runs from 11am – noon online. Please contact Pastor Laurel for more information or to sign up!
GRAIN DONATIONS Did you know that your local Coop has an account set up for First Lutheran Church to accept deliveries of grain? If you are wanting to make a donation of grain, just contact any of the NEW Coop offices and let them know that you will be delivering for First Lutheran. This does not have to be a full load as they will transfer any bushel amount over to the church with your permission. The church is then contacted to price the grain. If you are considering a donation to a different elevator that does not have an account for First, just let the church know and we can get an account open. This is an easy way to help out the church! If you should have any questions about the process, just give Shelly Howard a call and she can walk you through it!
First Lutheran Council: September 7, 2022
First Lutheran council met on September 7, 2022, with 11 members present. President Thelke called the meeting to order. A motion by Loren and second by Craig, to approve the agenda, and the motion passed. Pastor Meester led devotions.
Pastor’s report: Pastor reported she had 3 phone visits, 2 in person visits, and 4 office visits. She also stated she had worked on Corn Days and VBS and prepared for Fall programming during the month. She has also been involved with the Culture of Generosity meetings. She stated that next month she will be involved in the Culture of Generosity meetings, start Fall programming. She also stated she will be on vacation from September 12 - 18. Pastor Bergon from the Roland Lutheran church will be filling in while she is gone.
Secretary’s report: The report was given and a motion to accept the report was given by Dan and second by Jean. The motion passed.
Treasurer’s report: The subject was discussed as to where to put the Corn Days money. Shelly made a motion to put it in the general fund. The motion was second by Loren and it passed. The confirmation material is paid for out of the general fund. There was a motion to have the Sunday School pay for confirmation materials made by Loren and second by Shelly. The motion passed. Shelly made reference to all that there is an account at the Co-op for anyone wanting to donate grain at harvest time, it can be done there. A motion by Loren and second by Jean to accept the treasurer report and the motion passed.
President’s report: Kathy reported that VBS went well. She also reported that September 18 is the first day of Sunday School and there will be coffee starting too. Church changes back to 10:00 a.m. that day, also. She also had a reminder of the annual Vernon Lutheran service on Sunday September 11, is coming up.
Deacon’s report: Arne and Jean reported all are well.
Trustee’s report: Jean reported that Mary has been spraying weeds and washed some windows.
Stewardship report: Loren started the discussion on what projects to do on Helping Hands Sunday. The project that was decided on was to clean up the lilacs at the swimming pool. They need trimming and cleaning up. The date for the project was set for Saturday October 8, at 9:00. All volunteers will be welcome.
Board of Ed: The board of education met and planned Rally Sunday for September 18. The youth have a program planned with blowing bubbles outside the church following services. They also planned November 20, Christ the King Sunday, to gift the remaining bibles. Confirmation Sunday is scheduled for October 30. There are 4 confirmands this year. Marah Burkholder will be donating her time to do the pictures. It was also decided there will be a children's sermon every month on the 3rd Sunday.
Old Business: Rally Sunday will be September 18 with coffee and no lunch. Kathy gave a report on the Culture of Generosity meeting. This was the second zoom meeting. She reported on how to inspire people to come back to church. It was decided that Craig will head a committee and Loren will help, on how to get people to return to services.
New Business: Confirmation was discussed. It was decided that Jean will get the corsages for the confirmands. Harvest Festival donations will be put into the maintenance fund. It was decided that there will also be a potluck on Harvest Festival Sunday, November 20. Loren made a motion to start the council meetings at 6:00pm instead of 7:00pm. After some discussion, a second was made by Dan and the motion passed. This will begin at the October meeting.
There being no further business, a motion by Jean to adjourn was second by Dan. We closed with the Lord’s prayer.
Secretary Cheryl Jass
October 2022, LSI Bulletin/Newsletter Article and Story
Leaving a Legacy
Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) has responded to the love of Jesus Christ through compassionate service for more than 150 years. We have created a legacy of lifting up and empowering thousands of our Iowa neighbors, thanks to the generosity of our supporters.
Through LSI, Iowans also have the opportunity to leave a legacy of their own. When you include LSI in your will or estate planning, you are making a lasting impact for years to come. By including LSI in your will or living trust, you are ensuring that we can continue our mission and ministry well into the future.
LSI is now offering seminars to those interested in learning more about legacy gifts, wills and final wishes. If you would like more information on how you can include LSI in your estate planning, please contact Deb Whitford, LSI Director of Philanthropy and Church Relations, at Deborah.Whitford@LSIowa.org or 563.676.2065. LSI is also available to provide a customized virtual shared ministry opportunity for your congregation. If you would like to share the message of LSI with your community, please visit LSIowa.org/church-relations or contact our Waverly office at 319.352.2630 to get started. Our Mission: Lutheran Services in Iowa responds to the love of Jesus Christ through compassionate service. LSI is an affiliated social ministry partner of the Iowa congregations of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and a member of LSA (Lutheran Services in America). We proudly serve people of all ages, abilities, religions, sexes, gender identities, national origins, ethnicities, races, and sexual orientations. Learn more at www.LSIowa.org and www.facebook.com/LSI.iowa.
Making a Lasting Impact
Phil has had a connection to LSI since his college years. While taking social work classes at Wartburg College, he was asked to tutor a student at LSI’s Bremwood Residential Treatment Center in Waverly. Even years later, he and his wife, Phyllis, continued to support LSI programming by making a donation around Christmas each year.
When Phyllis passed away in 2012, Phil began looking at their investments and considering how he could make a positive impact long-term. While at a church event, he met an LSI staff member and learned about a charitable trust program. He decided to establish four benefactors – including LSI – in his planned giving.
“LSI can use the money in a wise, caring way for people who are at risk or who really need help, and in a way that nobody else is doing.” Phil says. “Through planned giving, LSI and these other causes will be able to continue what they’re doing even when I’m gone.”
Currently, one of D.’s goals is to exercise and become more active in the community, so the duo enjoys shopping and walking around the local mall to stay active. Back at home, the two can work on skills – like hygiene and cooking – that make D. feel more independent and confident.
“I like helping D. and seeing her progress and growth in her daily living,” Anita says. “When you and the person in your care begin living like a family, when they are able to trust you and open up, then you know you’re getting somewhere.”
*LSI does not identify the people we serve, except in well-vetted circumstances. The names and some personal details we use in this story have been changed.